I Support Amnesty (America, Zen)

[alwayswondering]

Here are immigration visa statistics for 2006.

[jgarden]

Originally Posted by jonny

I've been listening to the political debate about this immigration plan, and find myself wanting to just give people who are in this country working legal citizenship.

What's wrong with me? It seems like everyone is hating on immigrants. These people came here for the same reason that my ancestors came from Europe - because they wanted a better life. It's not their fault that the US Government decided to close off its borders and make it impossible for people to immigrate here.

There are an estimated 12 to 20 million illegals currently living in America - enough to populate the whole state of New York.

The vast majority of experts agree that deportation is no a viable option and that in would create far more problems than it would solve.

The reality is that these people are here to stay and the real question becomes to develop a strategy to deal with a society within a society.

America must decide whether the nation is content to treat "illegals" as an "underclass" meaning a source of cheap labor or to invest in them so that they can become productive citizens.

It should be noted that "illegals" already represent 1% of all active American military personal on duty and that number is bound to increase as long as Americans are unwilling to resign. Based on past experience, minority groups have often used the military as a "step up" for integration into mainstream American society.

[alwayswondering]

Originally Posted by jgarden

There are an estimated 12 to 20 million illegals currently living in America - enough to populate the whole state of New York.

The vast majority of experts agree that deportation is no a viable option and that in would create far more problems than it would solve.

The reality is that these people are here to stay and the real question becomes to develop a strategy to deal with a society within a society.

America must decide whether the nation is content to treat "illegals" as an "underclass" meaning a source of cheap labor or to invest in them so that they can become productive citizens.

It should be noted that "illegals" already represent 1% of all active American military personal on duty and that number is bound to increase as long as Americans are unwilling to resign. Based on past experience, minority groups have often used the military as a "step up" for integration into mainstream American society.

Thank you for a thought-provoking post.

[Joe Stocks]

Hi jgarden,

The reality is that these people are here to stay and the real question becomes to develop a strategy to deal with a society within a society.

Of course without focusing on securing the borders first, this society within a society will continue to grow.

[Reverend Rick]

Originally Posted by Joe Stocks

Hi jgarden,



Of course without focusing on securing the borders first, this society within a society will continue to grow.

This is one issue that never gets followed up on. I have no problem with people wanting to better themselves. If I was in Mexico and was starving, I would cross the border for a better life in a heart beat. How could anyone hate such a hard working group of people?

I believe the Republicans and Democrats can hammer out a solution to the immigration problem. We are not that far apart on this issue compared to most other issues.

First and foremost, we need to identify these folks. They need a legal identification card. We need to make sure that these people are not terrorists or criminals and let them live here legally and become part of the system.

We cannot do anything however till the borders are secure because the road to citizenship is expensive and we cannot offer this to everyone on the planet. The people here deserve to be citizens, but we have to make sure we can afford to include them. It will be impossible to give them their citizenship if the borders are left open.

If that is what you want to do, it would be better to make Mexico the 51st state.

[Joe Stocks]

Hi Reverend Rick,

I believe the Republicans and Democrats can hammer out a solution to the immigration problem. We are not that far apart on this issue compared to most other issues.

Yes, this is the thing I don't understand. Democrats and Republicans should be exploring the common ground they have on this issue. Democrats don't like employers exploiting their workers and obviously with the paying of low wages to illegals this suppresses wages (and we often here about the need for a 'livable wage'). And Republicans are big on law and order and punishing people that break the law. Both of these points should used to formulate a sound immigration policy that focuses first on stopping the flow of illegals and then coming up with a policy to deal with those that are here illegally.

[Mestemia]

Originally Posted by Reverend Rick

The people here deserve to be citizens,

What do you mean by this?
Why do Illegal immigrants 'deserve' to be citizens?

[Reverend Rick]

Originally Posted by Mestemia

What do you mean by this?
Why do Illegal immigrants 'deserve' to be citizens?

Because they have worked their butts off for little money. I believe they have paid their dues. I want to get them into the system and get them to pay taxes, because they are using our services that taxes pay for.

This can be a win win for everyone, but we can't give it to the whole world. Thats why the borders need secured first. Not to keep my brown brothers out but to make sure who is coming through the door.

Do you just let anyone walk into your house? These folks should not have walked into the house, but they cleaned the carpets and did the dishes and mowed the lawn after they entered.

I would be like, you don't belong here, but wow the house looks great!

[Victor]

Originally Posted by Reverend Rick

This is one issue that never gets followed up on. I have no problem with people wanting to better themselves. If I was in Mexico and was starving, I would cross the border for a better life in a heart beat. How could anyone hate such a hard working group of people?

I believe the Republicans and Democrats can hammer out a solution to the immigration problem. We are not that far apart on this issue compared to most other issues.

First and foremost, we need to identify these folks. They need a legal identification card. We need to make sure that these people are not terrorists or criminals and let them live here legally and become part of the system.

We cannot do anything however till the borders are secure because the road to citizenship is expensive and we cannot offer this to everyone on the planet. The people here deserve to be citizens, but we have to make sure we can afford to include them. It will be impossible to give them their citizenship if the borders are left open.

If that is what you want to do, it would be better to make Mexico the 51st state.

I don't think most Americans realize how rich in resources Mexico is.